Question

How do you factor the expression $x^2+2x-3$?

Answer 1

$(x+3)(x-1)$

Explanation:

To the factor, consider the factors of the constant term $-3$ which sum to give the coefficient of the $x$ term $+2$ factors of -3 are $\pm (1,3)$

The required factors are +3 and -1 ,as they sum to +2 .

$\Rightarrow x^2+2x-3=(x+3)(x-1)$

This may be confirmed by distributing the brackets.